Stars set for Obama inauguration - Entertainment News, Business News, Media - Variety
Variety - 13th Jan 2009
Barack Obama:
Barack Obama's inauguration team announced a huge lineup of talent -- assembled in less than two weeks -- that will perform at an opening celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, in a kickoff heavy in its mix of history and leading artists.
The roster includes a cross-section of
Legends and luminaries:
U2,
Beyonce,
Bruce Springsteen,
Stevie Wonder,
Sheryl Crow,
Garth Brooks,
Shakira,
John Mellencamp, Renee Fleming,
Josh Groban,
Herbie Hancock,
Usher,
James Taylor, will.i.am,
Mary J.
Blige,
John Legend,
Heather Headley and
Jennifer Nettles.
In addition,
Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III,
Queen Latifah and
Denzel Washington will read historical passages, with the Rev. Gene Robinson delivering the invocation.
Called "We Are One: The
Obama Inauguration Celebration," the event will be shown exclusively on HBO, and is being produced by a team of heavy hitters:
George Stevens Jr. is executive producer, Don Mischer is director-producer and Michael
Stevens is writer-producer. Rob Mathes will be the music director and arranger for the backing band, which will support all the artists.
Stevens, executive producer of the Kennedy Center Honors, including last month's ceremony, said they only started calling talent eight days ago, when they asked
Springsteen,
Bono and
Brooks to perform.
"When you get three yesses of people of that stature, you know you are on a roll," said
Stevens, with a bit of amusement.
Stevens was an early supporter of
Obama, and was among the
Washington insiders who pressed the Illinois senator to run for president.
Stevens, who ran the U.S. Information Agency's Motion Picture division under Edward R. Murrow in the early 1960s and then served as founding director of the American Film Institute, has compared the incoming administration to that of
John F. Kennedy.
During
Obama's campaign, he advised the candidate as co-chair, along with Broadway producer Margo Lion, of his National Arts Policy Committee. His son Michael has served as producer of the Kennedy Center Honors, American Film Institute tributes and the annual "Christmas in
Washington" special.
Mischer, meanwhile, has produced the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics and the 1996 Summer Olympics, as well as the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
George Stevens said the Lincoln Memorial event will be "rooted in history" and it is "not meant to be a glitzy performance." The entertainment is designed to reflect themes that shaped
Obama and his campaign and will be hallmarks of his administration.
Reference will be made to past presidents and signature accomplishments -- Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation, Theodore Roosevelt and the National Park Service, Franklin Roosevelt getting the country through the Great Depression -- as well as of the memorial itself, as the setting for Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
As such, performers will sing selections that tie into the program's themes.
Stevens cited as an example
U2 singing "Pride (In the Name of Love)," which is about King and the civil-rights movement.
"That gives you a sense of how music fits in,"
Stevens said. "There also will be pairings and trios. It will not be people singing their greatest hits."
Stevens said
Obama was "very approving of the thematic concept."
"It's going to be very entertaining, but it is about a country full of purpose."
More talent is expected to be added in the coming days.
Often with very little time to prepare, Hollywood producers and talent will be fanned out throughout
Washington in the coming weeks for the inaugural and related events, including more than four dozen official and unofficial inaugural balls. For example, Kevin Wall, who created and produced the Live Earth concerts in 2007 as part of Al Gore's campaign to promote environmental awareness, was enlisted by the former vice president just two weeks ago to spearhead the entertainment at the Green Inaugural Ball at the National Portrait Gallery on Monday. The event is expected to draw 2,500 people and sold out within 12 minutes.
Among the host of challenges Wall faces are fitting so many different artists -- expected to be announced in the coming days -- into one program.
Said Wall: "We are playing in a security blanket, and in a building that is not used to hosting this type of event."
Read next article:
Google cuts temps
>
Links posted in this story:
Al Gore
,
American Film Institute
,
Barack Obama
,
Bruce Springsteen
,
Denzel Washington
,
Don Mischer
,
Garth Brooks
,
George Stevens
,
George Stevens Jr
,
Heather Headley
,
Herbie Hancock
,
Jamie Foxx
,
John F Kennedy Center For the Performing Arts
,
John Legend
,
John Mellencamp
,
Josh Groban
,
Kevin Wall
,
Martin Luther
,
Martin Luther King
,
Martin Luther King III
,
Martin Luther King Jr
,
National Portrait Gallery
,
Queen Latifah
,
Renee Fleming
,
Rob Mathes
In This Story
Obama Inauguration Lincoln Memorial Celebration: Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen Performing.
WHITE HOUSE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL COMMITTEE PRESS RELEASE.The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) is pleased to announce the producers and initial talent lineup for WE ARE ONE: THE Obama INAUGURAL CELEBRATION AT THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL, the Opening Celebration for the 56th Presidential Inaugural, to be presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday, January 18 (7:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT). The event will be free and open to the public, kicking off the most open and accessible Inauguration in history. The special will be
Beyonce, Jamie Foxx, Bono and More Ready to Rock For Obama
Entertainment Tonight
An all-star cast of entertainers has been announced to put on a pre-inauguration concert at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday.
New York's Daily News reports that
Bono to sing at Obama celebration
Bono will be among the artists who will perform at the 18 January public celebration in Washington, DC to mark Barack Obama's inauguration.
Billboard reports that joining the U2 singer at 'We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial' will be Beyonc
Barack Obama’s Star-Studded Inauguration!
The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Monday that Sunday’s kick-off event, We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, will feature performances from Beyonce, Sheryl Crow, and Bruce Springsteen.
Also scheduled to perform are Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Josh Groban, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, James Taylor, will.i.a.m, [...]
Stars Set To Rock For Obama
Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé and Denzel Washington are among the WHORElebrities set to headline on HBO’s January 18th special “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial”
Also confirmed for appearance on the celebratory show are: Will.i.am, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, Jamie [...]
Celebs Line Up to be Part of Obama's Inauguration
the Presidential Inaugural Committee will be sponsoring is "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial," which will be a 90-minute concert beginning Sunday at 2 p.m. HBO will air the historical performances at 7 p.m. that evening.
Scheduled to appear at "We Are One":
U2
,
Beyoncé
,
Mary J. Blige
,
Bruce Springsteen
,
Usher
,
Will.I.Am
,
John Mellencamp
,
Shakira
,
Garth Brooks
,
Sheryl Crow
,
Josh Groban
,
Herbie Hancock
,
John Legend
,
Heather Head
Stars sign for Obama celebration
Beyonce, U2 and Bruce Springsteen are among the musicians who have signed up to perform at an inaugural celebration for US President-elect Barack Obama.
Stevie Wonder, Usher, Mary J Blige and Sheryl Crow are also scheduled to perform at the event on 18 January at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC.
Historical passages will also be read by singer Queen Latifah and actors Jamie Foxx and Denzel Washington.
Mr Obama, who will be sworn in on 20 January, is expected to attend.
Obama inaugural celeb: Star-studded
by Mark Silva
The stars will come out in force Sunday afternoon for a pre-inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial: Beyonce, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Herbie Hancock, John Mellencamp, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder and more.
The festival - "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" - will be open free to some one-million people who just might turn out on a National Mall which, for the moment, looks more like a porta-potty storage yard...
We Are One The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial
We Are One The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial is the HBO Obama special this Sunday! Here is the lineup schedule for We Are One The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.
Performers include:
Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer [...]
Beyonce, Shakira and more to play for Obama
Beyonce, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and James Taylor are among the musicians scheduled to perform Sunday afternoon.'
photoHeight='368'>
Beyonce & Usher To Headline Free Inaugration Concert
Beyonce, Usher and Mary J Blige are some of the stars who will be leading Barack Obama's presidential inaugration celebrations next week.
Barack Will Get A Star-Studded Inaugural Ceremony
NO WONDER WHY SCALPERS ARE SEEKING BIG BUCKS: Beyonce, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and James Taylor are among the musicians lined up to perform Sunday during Barack Obama’s inaugural celebration. WOWSERS!!! That is quite a plethora of stars. Good news for those with limited [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Barack Will Get A Star-Studded Inaugural Ceremony", url: "http://www.celebrityviplounge.com/blog/2009/01/12/barack-will-get-a-star-studded
Inauguration 2009 Lineup!
The Inauguration 2009 Lineup Schedule is out! Here is the Obama Inauguration 2009 Obama Lineup of Performers.
With many inauguration events, the big one is “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial” on HBO this Sunday.
The performers include:
Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, [...]
Denzel, Beyonce, Bono, Queen Latifah set to perform at inauguration
President-elect Obama’s inauguration entertainment line-up is coming together nicely. Considering people are auctioning off tickets for thousands of dollars, it seems like even celebrities will do anything to be invited to the party. The inauguration committee has set a star-studded ceremony that will feature some of the greatest performers, past and present. Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Bono and Shakira are all set to perform musical numbers. Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah have signed
Beyonce, Bruce set for inauguration gig
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Mary J. Blige and Garth Brooks have agreed to perform at a Washington concert celebrating Barack Obama's inauguration.
Inaugural Balls draw Miley, JoBros, Beyonce and Jay-Z
Just announced: Look for Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and Bow Wow at Monday's Kid's Inaugural ball. It will air on the Disney Channel at 8 ET. And on Tuesday, husband and wife - Beyonce and Jay-Z - will both be at Tuesday's Neighborhood Ball, along with Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Shakira and Stevie Wonder. ABC will air the ball from 8-10 p.m. ET.
Posted at 03:51 PM/ET,
January 13, 2009 in
Inauguration 2009
|
Per
Beyonce's Coming to the Neighborhood!
Beyonce Knowles will perform at the official Neighborhood Ball on Jan. 20, along with Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and others. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer) Well, we were wrong: One of the official inaugural balls is going be awesome. After decades of B-list entertainment at the inaugural balls, the Presidential Inaugural Committee just announced the line-up for the official "The Neighborhood Ball" at the Convention Center: Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Shakira and Stevie Wo
40th NAACP Image Awards...And the Nominees Are...
40th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS Airs Live Thursday, February 12 On FOXAnd the nominees are:Outstanding Comedy Series• “30 Rock” (NBC)• “Everybody Hates Chris” (CW)• “The Game” (CW)• “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (TBS)• “Ugly Betty” (ABC)Outstanding Actor in a ComedySeries• Donald Faison
Beyonce and Bono to play at Obama concert
Tony Blair famously tempted fate by inviting around a then very youthful
Noel Gallagher
of Oasis to Downing Street after Labour's landslide victory in 1997.
Barack Obama
is playing safe with his own pop star admirers. The concert being held in his honour at the Lincolm Memorial in Washington on Sunday, which the President-elect is rumoured to have agreed to attend, features a line-up of ultra-safe, user-friendly stars, among them
Beyonce
(
pictured
), U2
and
Bruce Springsteen
.
Bono, Bruce, Beyonce To Play Inaugural Concert
Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Bono and more than a dozen other music
stars will kick off Barack Obama's presidential inaugural
festivities by performing at the opening celebration at Washington
D.C.'s Lincoln Memorial on Jan. 18. The free event, which is open
to the public, will also be broadcast on HBO.
Buzz Bites
+ Can we cram any more celeb musical acts into Obama’s inauguration weekend? YES, WE CAN! Put your hands together for the latest additions to Barackstock ‘09: Miley Cyrus, Jay-Z and The Jonas Brothers! Plus, read up on other confirmed performers (like U2, Mary J. Blige and Beyonce). (MTV News)
+ And have we mentioned [...]
Quotables
“On that first day, we asked Springsteen, Bono and Garth Brooks within a period of 45 minutes and got three `yeses.’ We said, `This is going to be fun.’”
George Stevens Jr., the producer of the Barack Obama inaugural celebration show that will be taking place at the Washington Monument on Sunday. The president-elect and his [...]
25 Best Live Performances of 2008
Last year I started a Best Performances of the year list mostly because of the overabundance of great performances at Live Earth. Despite the lack of any major cultural event, I thought I would continue the list for at one more year. Here the live performances that caught my ear this year. I have links to YouTube for those that have yet been pulled and there are even a couple that are sold on iTunes so check out the button for those.1. Stronger/Hey Mama - Kanye West and Daft Punk (Grammy Awards)2. Just Stan
John Legend, Stevie Wonder For "Yes We Can" CD
John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Kanye West and many more have contributed to what is being called a soundtrack to Presidential Candidate Barack Obama's campaign.
"Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement," which takes its title from Obama's popular campaign slogan, features Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Kanye West, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer and others.
Available exclusively through Obama's campaign, beginning Friday, proceeds from the CD help fund Obama's campaign until Nov. 4, accordi
